The time for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match points to the need for composed heads during the fiery contest, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batsman if needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The reserve keeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced stays despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team until C
